Tag: 2023

2023: “I won’t remove petrol subsidy, but I’ll ensure refineries work if elected” – Sowore

Aminu Imam

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, says he will not remove the costly petrol subsidy if elected president. Sowore spoke on a television programme on Tuesday. The contentious issue of the removal of fuel subsidy has been a source of concern for oil and gas stakeholders, who argue that it is negatively impacting profitability in the sector and the country’s overall revenue. Recall that this year, the Federal Government has projected to spend N4 trillion on the subsidy, despite calls for its removal. Speaking on…

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Buhari gives farewell speech to UN General Assembly, restates commitment to handover in 2023

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir
President Buhari addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York

President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the UN General Assembly on Wednesday for the last time as Nigeria’s leader. In his farewell speech, he told the global body that his administration was determined to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians would elect their leaders. “As president, I have set the goal that one of the enduring legacies I would leave is to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections. “It is through that mechanism that Nigerians will elect leaders of their choice,’’…

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2023: Media fairness not totally achievable – Expert

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Dr Saeedat Aliyu, the Acting Director, University Relations, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has advised journalists to exhibit high degree of fairness in the coverage of the 2023 general elections. She however noted that media fairness was not totally achievable because of obvious reasons. Aliyu gave the advice on Wednesday at the grand finale of the 2022 Press Week of the Kwara TV Chapel of the Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ilorin. Aliyu, who spoke on the theme: “Press Freedom: A panacea for sustainable democratic process”,…

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2023: PWDs can decide who becomes Nigerian President  

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Albino Foundation on Wednesday called on politicians not to neglect Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) as campaign begins because their number can make or mare election victory. The Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the foundation,       Jake Epelle said this at a news conference to call for the inclusion of PWD as campaigns commence by political parties in Abuja. Epelle said that the conference was necessary to alert the nation on the issues bordering on PWDs. According to him, the exclusion of any group or persons in democratic process is…

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“State Governors threat to Nigeria’s democracy” – Ghali Na’abba

Aminu Imam

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba, has said that state governors constitute a serious threat to the nation’s democracy. Na’abba, who was speaking at his residence in Kano, when he received a delegation of a support group, the ‘Na’abba Youth Organisation’ on a courtesy visit, said the State governors had pocketed political parties and decides who would contest for positions in elections, thereby crippling democracy and rotating power among themselves without considering competency. According to him, the citizens are now running away from politics…

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2023: Applications for escorts flood Police Commands, as politicians fear political killings

Aminu Imam

The gun attack on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah last week has from all indications sent shivers down the spines of politicians across the country. Recall that the gunmen, suspected to be hired assassin, had last week attacked Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, at Enugwu-Ukwu community, in Njikoka local government area in Anambra State. Ubah represents Anambra-South senatorial district in the National Assembly. The gruesome attack caused the death of five persons in his convoy, including two policemen and three aides. Following the unrestricted manner the assassins smoothly carried out the heinous ambush on…

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2023: Group demands probe into alleged plot to rig polls by manipulating INEC register

Aminu Imam

A civil society organisation, Cultural Credibility Development Initiative (CCDI), has demanded proper investigation into an alleged manipulation of the Independent National Electoral Committee (INEC)’s voters’ register with a view to rig the 2023 general election in some States. Recall that the Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUUP), through its spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, had last week alleged that some individuals have begun adulterating INEC’s voters register. The coalition also alleged that a court case has been initiated secretly to compel INEC to stop the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System…

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‘Nigeria headed for the rocks over FG’s disregard for rule of law’ – Wike

Aminu Imam

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike says Nigeria is on the brink of collapse due to the Federal Government’s deliberate undermining of the rule of law and politicians’ display of arrogance and disdain for the nation’s democratic process. Wike expressed his perception yesterday, during the launch of the book, titled: “Legal Paradigm in Nigeria: A New Direction in the Study of Law and Practice”, in honour of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Abdul Aboki, in Abuja. According to him, Nigerians are becoming more and more apprehensive about the success…

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Wike says coming to Abuja reminded him of his presidential election defeat

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, on Friday, said that his coming to Abuja reminded him of his defeat during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential primary held on May 28 at Eagle Square. Wike made this known at a book launch in Abuja. The book, titled: “Flowing Justice: Selected Leading Judgments of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court,” was authored by retired Justice Abdu Aboki and unveiled by the governor. Wike said: “I want to once again congratulate My Lord, Hon Justice Abdu Aboki JSC for giving me this opportunity…

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INEC explains why it spends so much to conduct elections

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday gave an insight into why much funds went into the conduct of elections. Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the INEC Chairman, gave the insight while responding to questions at an interactive session with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) tagged ‘The Editors’ Forum’ in Lagos. According to him, cost of logistics, highly-secured ballot papers, allowances for personnel, among other reasons, are responsible for the huge funds used in conducting elections in Nigeria. “In France, the ballot paper is like an A4 sheet of paper,…

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